Hosting a successful cocktail party requires a fine (and enjoyable) balancing act. No matter the season or reason for celebration, semi-formal gatherings hosted by friends is a great way to meet new people and reconnect with old ones over a good time.
If you think cocktail parties are boring because they remind you mainly of boring work functions, we’re here to change your mind. If you know how to host a cocktail party, you can make new friends, strengthen existing ones, and drink excellent handcrafted cocktails. For a valid reason, cocktail parties have remained popular for many years.
It’s not as hard as you would think to throw a cocktail party that’s a hit with both you and your guests. Your cocktail party will be a smashing success if you’re willing to put in the prep work beforehand. With the information in this handy guide, you’ll have no trouble organizing the perfect cocktail party.
Make an Invitation List
To host a successful cocktail party at home, the first step is to assemble the ideal guest list. A cocktail party’s dynamic might be disrupted by having either too many or not enough people.
A cocktail party with less than 5 guests constitutes more of a cocktail hangout. If there are more than about 15 people, it starts to seem more like a normal party, where it can be difficult to make meaningful conversation beyond conversation groups. You need about ten people to have enough fun for the whole night and encourage conversation and sidebars.
Pick Your Drink of Choice
The cocktails you intend to serve are also an important factor to think about. Fun, interesting, and well-known beverages should be on the menu. Finding that sweet spot of equilibrium can be exhilarating if you’re up to the task.
Always have a simple drink on hand that most people would recognize (and enjoy), such as an Old Fashioned or a Manhattan. Oak & Eden whiskies are delicious whether you’re making a traditional or experimental cocktail. Our whiskies have a distinct character while yet being easy to drink, delicate, and tasty on their own or in a cocktail.
To make your life as a host easier, plan on making just two or three drinks. However, do your best to provide at least two distinct kinds of spirits. In addition to the liquor, you should have wine and beer available for your visitors. Don’t forget that some of your visitors could prefer not to drink! A non-alcoholic cocktail or drink menu is a nice touch that shows you care about including everyone at the party.
Put Out Some Snacks and Appetisers
Appetizers, snacks, and additional food options are just as crucial as drinks. Although a full meal or even a significant spread of food is not required, having some light snacks available is always appreciated.
The most successful cocktail parties have finger appetizers that are simple to prepare, bite-sized (ideally between one and three bites each), and complement the drinks being served. Since cocktail parties are mostly about mingling, it’s important to serve food that won’t leave guests with bad breath.
If you want to keep matters simple, a single homemade appetizer would do. Then, provide a cheese board and some store-bought snacks, such as a veggie spread and nuts. If the food is tasty, your company will be satisfied.
Batch Your Drinks in Advance
Pre-batching your cocktails before your party is another planning hack that may make cocktail parties considerably easier. Offering house cocktails means a higher volume of mixed drinks. You’ll need a creative plan B if you don’t want to spend the entire evening tending the bar.
To avoid this, you can make your cocktails in advance and store them in batches. To batch-mix cocktails, you would multiply the recipe and prepare a few ahead of time. Instead of spending the night constructing drinks from scratch, guests may just pour, stir or shake, and serve. One way to streamline the evening is to serve drinks already prepared in a large bowl or pitcher with glasses and ice.
Add Finishing Touches
Cocktail parties aren’t complete without a few decorative touches. The extra effort placed into the decor at your party can offer a sense of festivity, whether you’re holding a cocktail party to commemorate a special occasion, birthday, milestone, holiday, or just because you feel like it. Decorations for a birthday party ought to be focused on the person being celebrated. Decorating with seasonal touches can make the holidays more enjoyable for everyone. If you want to go all out, you may even give your cocktail selections a theme.
Consider Arranging Some Games for Noon
A conversational lull or a drop in energy level can happen at any cocktail party, no matter how well planned. You may give your cocktail party a much-needed boost by being prepared with a few games. However, not all games are made equal, and playing the wrong ones might ruin an otherwise fun party.
Popular murder mysteries from the 1990s are making a comeback in the present day. These are great conversation starters and can be a lot of fun at cocktail parties. Discovering your style games like Two Truths and a Lie or Never Have I Ever can be enjoyable ways to break the ice at a cocktail party with people who are meeting for the first time. Having two or three games prepared should see you through.
Listen to the Music and Enjoy It
Last but not least, when planning the ultimate at-home cocktail party, don’t forget to play some tunes. Music is always playing in the background in restaurants and bars because it helps eliminate the uncomfortable silences that can kill a good discussion.
Make sure you have music ready to play in the background that fits the party’s theme, the season, or even simply your taste. The music should be enjoyable without being annoying or too loud to interfere with the conversation. When making your song selection, keep in mind that it will be playing in the background as you talk.
Takeaways for a Home Cocktail Party
Home cocktail parties are a great way to socialize with acquaintances and make new ones. The first step is to invite the right number of people so that there are enough people to have a good time but not so many that things go out of hand. The cocktails you intend to serve should likewise be pre-planned.
Make sure you also have food prepared for your celebration. Pre-batch your drinks so you can spend more time with your loved ones and less time behind the bar. Set the tone for your cocktail party by decorating, and be prepared with a few games in case the discussion dies down or you need something to break the ice. Finally, give some consideration to the music you’re playing. All you need to know to host the best cocktail party is how to execute these three things. Cheers!